The Committee and Leaders
of Pelham Cub Scout Pack 4 are committed to providing a quality program of Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed
on character development, skill development, spiritual growth, citizenship and family.
Purposes of Cub Scouting
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) began Cub Scouting as a program for younger boys in 1930. The purposes of Cub Scouting
state that Parents, Leaders and Organizations work together to achieve the following:
1. Influence the development
of character and encourage spiritual growth;
2. Develop habits and attitudes
of good citizenship;
3. Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body;
4. Improve understanding
within the family;
5. Strengthen the ability to get along with and to respect others;
6. Foster a sense of personal
achievement b developing new interest and skills;
7. Show how to be helpful and to do one's best;
8. Provide fun and
exciting new things to do;
9. Prepare Cubs to become Boy Scouts.
The National Office of the
Boy Scouts of America is located in Irving, Texas. Within the U.S., there are more than 350 Councils to service over 1,500,000
Cub Scouts. Locally, the Westchester-Putnam Council consists of 5 Districts: Algonquin, Four Rivers, Manitoga, Mohican and
Muscoot. Pelham Manor Pack 4 is part of the Algonquin District which also serves: Edgemont, Harrison, Larchmont,
Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Purchase, Rye, Rye Brook, Scarsdale and Silver Lake.
The Pack
A Pack must be chartered
from the BSA by a local organization. These can be churches, professional organizations, government bodies, or educational,
civic, business, labor, or citizens groups. Pack 4 is chartered by the Siwanoy School and is over 55 years
old, making our pack one of the oldest in New York State and the U.S.!
The Pack serves as a "parent"
organization to the Dens and provides direction, program support and maintenance of the budget. The Pack is led by the Pack
Committee that consists of representatives from each Den, Cubmaster and other volunteer leaders. The Pack Committee Chairperson
leads these monthly meetings and we encourage parents to participate. Meetings can be found on the Pack calendar. The Pack
Committee along with the Cubmaster leads the group in planning and organizing Pack programs.
Packs are divided into Dens
of typically five to eight boys. Dens are made up of boys in the same grade and age, so they can work together to earn the
appropriate Rank.
Where to Purchase Scout Uniforms and Equipment
Scout Shop, 41 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne
(914) 773-1135
Liebmans, 510 Main Street, New Rochelle
(914) 632-2770
Dan's Sports Center, 16 Cedar Street, Dobbs Ferry (914) 693-1754
New
York Scout Shop, 4th Floor Empire State Building (212) 651-3090
Cub Scout Ranks
Cub Scout ranks are divided
by grade level.
Grade 1: Tiger Cubs
The Tiger Cub rank is an introduction
into Cub Scouting. Each Tiger Cub must have an individual registered adult partner (usually a parent or guardian). Each Tiger Den is kept organized by a lead adult partner called the Den Leader. The Tiger Cub Den Leader
helps in coordinating the Dens activities. Tiger Cubs work towards earning the Tiger Cub Rank Badge by completing three types
of activities in each of 5 different themes.
Bobcat Scouts
After Tiger Cubs, each new
Cub Scout, regardless of their age or grade, must complete the requirements for Bobcat Rank. This is usually done in only
two or three weeks. The requirements for Bobcat (which are described in all Cub Scout Handbooks), include learning and explaining
the Law of the Pack, the Cub Scout Handshake, Motto, Sign, and Salute, learning to give the Cub Scout Promise, and explaining
the meaning of Webelos. After being awarded the Bobcat Badge, the Scout begins working on the requirements for the Badge of
Rank for his grade.
The Cub Scout Promise
I
promise to do my best
to do my duty to God and my Country
to help other people and to obey the
Law of the Pack
Law of the Pack
A
Cub Scout follows Akela
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow
The Cub Scout gives goodwill
The Cub Scout Motto
Do
Your Best
Grade 2: Wolf Scouts
Wolf Scouts are boys who have
completed the first grade, or are eight years of age. Wolf Scouts usually meet weekly as a Den of six to ten boys, under the
direction of their Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader. The Den Meetings provide an opportunity to play games, learn new skills,
go on outings and tours, and to work on Achievements. Twelve Achievements must be completed in order to earn the Wolf Badge.
After completing the requirements for the Wolf Badge, the Scout may continue to work on Electives to earn Arrow Points. The first ten electives completed result in earning a Gold Arrow Point. For each
ten additional electives completed, Silver Arrow Points are awarded.
Grade 3: Bear
Scouts
Bear Scouts are made up of
boys who have completed the second grade or are nine years of age. God, Country, Family and Self are the main themes of the
twelve Achievements required to earn Bear Rank. Bear Den Meetings are similar to the meetings held by Wolves. Likewise, Gold
and Silver Arrow Points can be earned after achieving rank.
Grades 4 and
5: Webelos Scouts
Boys who have completed the
third grade or are age 10 or 11 are eligible to become Webelos Scouts. Webelos is the last rank in Cub Scouting. It is an
acronym for Well Be Loyal Scouts. Under the direction of the Webelos Den Leader and Assistant Webelos Den Leader Webelos Scouts
will work to earn Webelos Activity Pins for a wide variety of hobby and career activities ranging from science to sports.
Den Meetings
Tiger Dens usually meet one
or two times a month. Their Den Meetings include the Scouts and their Adult Partners. Each Den has a volunteer Den Leader,
but all Adult Partners work cooperatively to plan and host the meetings. Typically each Scout/Partner team is assigned an
activity from the Tiger Cub Handbook to plan and host. These gatherings are often outings to local points of interest.
Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Den
Meetings are usually held once a week for one to 1½ hours, although individual
dens may modify their schedules to meet the needs of the scouts and leaders as appropriate. Den Meetings can be held at a
Leaders home, school, church or other venue depending on the activity. Although the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leaders are
responsible for coordinating and running the Den Meetings, each Scouts family will play an active role in the Scout activities,
at the meetings and at home. There must always be two (2) adults present at all meetings and activities. The activities at
the Den Meetings vary widely from games, crafts, skills work, field trips, etc. The National organization sets a theme for
each month and the Den Meetings may center on this theme or one of the achievements in the rank book.
Typically achievements towards
earning the Wolf or Bear badges are done by the Scout with their family at home. The Den may do some achievements as part
of their regular meeting, however most are oriented to be done with the family. Webelos Den Meetings typically involve completing
the various requirements of the Webelos badge, activity badges or progress towards the Arrow of Light.
As achievements are
completed the parent or Den Leader, depending on who it was completed with, will record it in the Scouts rank book. The Den
Leader will periodically record the Scouts accomplishments on a record form to track progress towards rank badge or other
award. Dens may formally meet only during the school year or during the entire year depending
on the Den Leaders and familys schedule and preference.
Pack Meetings
Pack Meetings and activities
are held monthly, usually on a Wednesday evening at 7p.m. Meetings are held at the Siwanoy School in the gym. Special
events may be held at other local venues. The Pack Meetings typically flag ceremonies, den reports, activities or games and
scout advancement and recognition.
The Pack meetings are intended
for the entire family. It is a time for the entire unit and their families to get together to learn and celebrate each others
accomplishments over the past month. Some Pack Meetings are for special programs including the annual Blue & Gold Dinner
to celebrate Scoutings birthday and the Pinewood Derby.
Leaders Meeting
A monthly Leaders meeting
provides the opportunity to plan the Pack Meetings and Activities. All Scout Leaders are encouraged to attend, as well as
any Adult who may have ideas, comments or concerns regarding the Pack or a particular Den. These meetings are typically held
on the first or second Sunday of the month, at 7:00 p.m. Leaders typically rotate the hosting of the meeting.
Volunteers
Parent volunteers are always needed. Registration and training are provided by the Pack for those who are interested
in helping. If you'd like to help in any capacity, please contact the Pack Committee Chairperson, Cubmaster or your son's
Den Leader. All types of help are needed - driving for trips, assisting in Den Leader absence, etc. Remember
that Cub Scout Packs don't exist without volunteer leadership.
Responsibilities
and Expectations
Participation and expectations
on the part of the Scouts is pretty straight forward. The Scouts are expected to attend all Den and Pack meetings. Scouts
should arrive on time, not late and not early. If the parent or guardian does not stay for the meeting, they should return
promptly at the scheduled ending time of the meeting to assist with cleaning up and pick up the Scout.